Neymar ‘will NOT return to Barcelona after US trip and will travel straight to Paris to complete £195m PSG switch’
Reports claim the Samba star will complete his mega-money move upon returning from the States
REPORTS in Spain are claiming that Neymar will not return to Barcelona and will head straight to Paris after the Catalans' pre-season tour of the USA.
The La Liga giants have been adamant that their superstar will not be leaving this summer.
However, Spanish publication claim that he will not join his teammates in heading back to Barcelona and will instead go to the French capital to finalise his £195million move to Paris Saint-Germain once they have finished their trip Stateside.
It is claimed he dreams of being recognised as the planet's best footballer and believes he will not be able to achieve that while playing second fiddle to the Argentine icon.
However, Sport have reported today that his desire to leave also stems from the fact he no longer has many of his fellow countrymen at the club.
Both his close friends Dani Alves and Adriano have both departed Barcelona in recent years, with Brazilian Rafinha the only Samba boy left in the side.
Despite these latest reports, Barca remain adamant that they will not sell Neymar this summer.
MORE BARCELONA TRANSFER NEWS
Upon their arrival in America two days ago for the International Champions Cup, president Josep Bartomeu attempted to put a stop to the speculation.
He also reminded PSG that they would be in breach of Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations should they force through the move by matching his huge £195m release clause.
Bartomeu said: “He has a contract for the coming four years and, of course, we count on him.
“He’s part of our team. He’s part of this [attacking] trident [with Messi and Luis Suarez].
“These clauses are impossible to activate if you want to comply with Financial Fair Play.
“If someone doesn’t want to comply, then of course it can be activated.”
Neymar, 25, joined Barcelona for the 2013-14 season and last October agreed announced a three-year contract extension through 2020-21.
His buyout clause began with a figure of £180m in year one which has risen to it's current value of £195m in year two.
Next year suitors will have to stump up £223m.
Neymar: The Brazilian superstar on course to become an all-time great
- Born on February 5, 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo
- Joined local side Portugesa Santista as a seven-year-old, before mocing to Santos at 11
- Made his senior debut for Santos at just 17, scoring 14 goals in total his first season
- At age 18 he led Santos to the Brazilian title and came third in the South American Footballer of the Year award
- Won man of the match in the 2011 Copa Libertadores final, as Santos beat Penarol – it was the Brazilian club’s first time winning the competition since Pele was playing 1963
- Eventually left Santos in 2013 after winning three Brazilian titles and scoring 136 goals in 225 matches – all before 21
- Moved to Barcelona in 2013, with Barca president Josep Bartomeu charged with tax fraud after it was revealed he had paid the star’s parents €40million
- In five years at the club has helped Barcelona win two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey three times, the Club World Cup and the Champions League in 2015
- Has scored 105 goals in 186 matches for Barca, adding 59 assists in that time
- Fast-tracked into the Brazil national team at just 18, he already has 52 goals in 77 caps – fourth on the all-time list.
- Has been the Selecao’s permanent captain since 2015
